(Crl.A.Nos.121, 168, 375, 379, 391, 395, 945 of 2003 are filed under Section 374(2) Cr.P.C. and Crl.A.No.1239 of 2004 is filed under Section 378 Cr.P.C. all against the judgment dated 6.1.2003 made in Sessions Case No.149 of 1996 by the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court No.1), Coimbatore)

M. Thanikachalam, J.

A.7; A.1; A9 to A.11; A.8, A.2; A.5, A.6 and A.4, who stand convicted and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment by the judgment of the trial Court dated 6.1.2003, in Sessions Case No.149 of 1996, on the file of the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court No.1), Coimbatore, are the appellants in Crl.A.Nos.121,168,375, 379, 391, 395 and 94 5 of 2003 respectively.

2. The State, aggrieved by the acquittal of A.3 in the above Sessions Case, has filed Criminal Appeal No.1239 of 2004.

3. The prosecution brought the accused, to face the trial, before the trial Court for the offences under Sections 120-B, 302 r/w.109, 302, 302 r/w.34 IPC alleging that A.1/appellant in Crl.A.No.168 of 2003 had love affair with one Sunitha-P.W.3; that Sunitha not only refused to accede to the request of A.1, but preferred her classmate, by name Vivi @ Vivek @ Vivekanandan and also